Trash art workshops and competition in Fort Lauderdale

Here’s a chance to be the Rembrandt of refuse, the da Vinci of debris, the Jasper Johns of junk.

Trash to Treasure, a unique artistic and environmental enterprise in northern Fort Lauderdale plans free workshops, a competition and exhibition of art made from stuff most people would throw away.

The Trash to Treasure Creative Reuse Center is an organization of recycling professionals, artists and activists committed to fighting the consumerism that fills landfills, pollutes the air and leaves people constantly buying and throwing out stuff. They operate a warehouse and store 1100 NW 53rd Street full of what most people would consider junk – empty yogurt containers, wallpaper books, cardboard tubes, plastic ring binders, scrap metal, coat hangers, broken industrial tubing, bottle caps, empty bottles, used coffee mugs - all used by artists, teachers, parents and others who are looking for materials for projects.

They’re holding their fourth annual Trash-2-Art competition and exhibition, open to all, with workshops to help those who don’t know where to start.

"Trash 2 Art demonstrates the creative potential of resources we have literally all around us that can be used to produce art that is interesting, educational, and beautiful,” said the group’s executive director, Casey Eckels. “We as a community need to rethink what we have in our own backyard. Our goal is to use our imagination while honoring resources available in abundance.”

Free Trash 2 Art workshops will be held Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 6-10 p.m. (Bring your own materials or pay a $10 non-member fee to select from the center’s materials). For more information, contact Casey Eckels, ceckels@trash2treasurefl.org, 888-828-8242, or go to www.trash2treasurefl.org.

The exhibition will run Sept. 10 through Oct. 1 at JM Family Enterprise Gallery at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.